Skip to main content
close search
site logo

The manufacturing outlook for 2026

Investment is rising in domestic production, automation, M&A and more. At the same time, manufacturers are navigating a complex  environment due to trade policies and changing regulations.

Published Jan. 30, 2026
By Manufacturing Dive Staff
A worker in a factory uses a milling machine
Getty Images

U.S. manufacturing investment and policy will once again be in the spotlight during 2026, after a very eventful year in 2025. 

President Donald Trump’s administration is aiming to bolster domestic investments through tariffs, as well as an ongoing deregulatory push. Federal jobs data and economic reports show a more complex picture about how quickly that rebound may be happening.

Meanwhile, investment continues to ramp up in the space via M&A activity, major facility projects, automation, artificial intelligence and more.

What else are you watching this year? Let us know at [email protected].

Recommended Reading

Editors' picks

Company Announcements

View all | Post a press release
Limble Introduces AI to Save Maintenance Teams Time and Improve Asset Health
From Limble
January 15, 2026
Limble logo
Emergent Solar Energy Completes Turnkey Rooftop Solar Project for Subaru Indiana Automotive
From Emergent Solar Energy LLC
January 15, 2026
Emergent Solar Energy LLC logo
SouthWorth Capital Management Acquires American Furniture Manufacturing
From SouthWorth Capital Management
January 19, 2026
SouthWorth Capital Management logo
Pregis Launches EasyPack® Strata, a High-Speed On-Demand Paper System Designed for Versatile P…
From Pregis
January 27, 2026
Pregis logo
Editors' picks
Latest in Operations
Industry Dive is an Informa TechTarget business.
© 2026 TechTarget, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. | View our other publications | Privacy policy | Terms of use | Take down policy.
Cookie Preferences / Do Not Sell
This website is owned and operated by Informa TechTarget, part of a global network that informs, influences and connects the world's technology buyers and sellers. All copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. TechTarget, Inc.'s registered office is 275 Grove St. Newton, MA 02466.